With our Champions League exploits in mind, AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli is being tipped to make up to 10 changes against Bologna this weekend.
The Rossoneri secured a slender 1-0 advantage over Napoli in the first leg of our Champions League quarter-final tie in midweek, and with our trip to Naples ahead on Tuesday for the return leg, the expectation was always that Pioli would rotate.
READ MORE: Five key talking points after Milan secure vital advantage in Champions League tie
However, few would arguably have expected as much rotation as being tipped by La Gazzetta dello Sport below, as well as MilanNews, with the consensus being that there could be up to 10 changes made to the starting XI that faced Napoli just days ago.
On one hand, it’s the sensible decision to rest key individuals and make sure they’re rested and healthy as we look to extend our run in the Champions League.
That said, given how poorly our depth options have done when stepping in to deputise previously, it’s a real risk and ultimately we can’t afford to drop any more points in Serie A as we continue to battle for a top-four finish this season.
Nevertheless, Pioli is setting a challenge for those being tipped to come in to deliver, and given there is still a lot of quality and experience in the touted Milan XI, we should be securing all three points.
Pioli tipped to rotate, 10 changes touted in total
After his superb performance on Wednesday night, Mike Maignan is being tipped to be the only player who keeps his place this weekend as we lean on his reliability and consistency to lead a strong defensive performance.
Alessandro Florenzi, Malick Thiaw, Pierre Kalulu and Fode Ballo-Toure are touted as the new-look backline, and in fairness, Thiaw deserves another run-out given his form since breaking into the side while it’s a huge boost to have Kalulu back from injury and he’s in need of minutes to build up his match fitness again.
With Florenzi’s experience and know-how, he should be a solid option on the right side, but time will tell if Ballo-Toure can put in a positive shift on the opposite flank.
In midfield, Aster Vranckx could get a very rare opportunity alongside Tommaso Pobega, while Alexis Saelemaekers, Charles De Ketelaere and Ante Rebic could provide support for Divock Origi who may well lead the line for us again to give Olivier Giroud a rest.
As mentioned above, this is both a challenge and opportunity for those coming into the side, as they have to start showing their worth and ability to make decisive contributions, otherwise the club may well decide to start moving in a different direction with some of them.
Origi and Rebic haven’t been good enough in providing an impact off the bench this season, while it’s a big test for De Ketelaere to show his ability and make an influence after what has been a really poor debut campaign so far.
Some will welcome the rotation and opportunities for others, but there is a very real risk of having no rhythm and a lack of understanding with so many changes. It’s a gamble from Pioli if accurate, as if we don’t get a positive result here and slip up in Naples, our season could be in real jeopardy of being a complete bust.
However, it’s important to stress again that these players being tipped to come in have to show us something and get the job done, and so the pressure is on them to deliver here and earn their spots moving forward as Milan can ill-afford to drop more points and risk falling out of the top four by the end of the weekend.
Predicted AC Milan XI vs Bologna: Maignan, Florenzi, Thiaw, Kalulu, Ballo-Touré, Vranckx, Pobega, Saelemaekers, De Ketelaere, Rebic, Origi.
Image courtesy of La Gazzetta dello Sport.
